In cities all around America the noise of running cars and horns is audible. The automobile has climbed in popularity enough to be seen in many homes around the country. Cars for daily use; however, have not always been a popular and affordable product for the mainstream consumer. The changes to American society created by the wide distribution of automobiles arises the question: How has the creation, advancement, and distribution of automobiles from 1945 to 1970 drastically changed American society? This is significant because the changes made by cars have completely changed the average American consumer and those changes are still instilled today. The author did not have any prior knowledge about this topic, but has an admiration for cars.
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During the war, German scientists paved the way with new innovations that revolutionized society such as jerry cans, radios, and improvements to the conveyer belt system (Zinn 13). Upon winning the war, the United States received many new technology advances. This proved to be immensely helpful in the mass production of automobiles. America began the process of demobilization from war factories to industrial factories. An increase of technologically advanced factories helped flood the automobile market with new and affordable cars. In the process of making cars a cheaper type of lightweight metal was used to manufacture cars. An increase in factories set the stage for a new and more expansive job sector. Millions of manufacturing jobs in factories were created along with a manufacturing sector that sold trillions of dollars in goods (Zinn 58). Automobiles were not only drastically changing the American economy, but also changing the American …show more content…
The idea of owning a “white picket fence” was disregarded and the new American dream was to own a home and a car. A house was purchased for around 15,000 dollars with a long term mortgage and a car was purchased with a small loan (Sinha 32). This redefined the American view of success. Among the middle and upper class, there was a migration to suburbs. The lower class remained in rural areas, but were still able to purchase and own an automobile. The new perception of buying a car reflected among consumers as a stylish point. Another motivation to purchasing an automobile was to appear wealthy in public. To own a car became the American expectation. For years before the war homes were built to reflect a family great room and kitchen, not the garage. Driveways and garages were built as a minor addition to a home and were usually accessible through backstreets or alleys. During the 1950‘s however, driveways and garages became of focal point of homes located in suburbs. This importance placed on family owned cars “made the automobile a prominent part of the dramatic ensemble.”(Spear 5). Automobiles had not only become popular, but also represented a status symbol among Americans. Model years and accessories were associated with wealth in urban neighborhoods and were compared between neighbors. A growing obsession with cars influenced homes internally too. Wallpaper in a home was often
During the war, German scientists paved the way with new innovations that revolutionized society such as jerry cans, radios, and improvements to the conveyer belt system (Zinn 13). Upon winning the war, the United States received many new technology advances. This proved to be immensely helpful in the mass production of automobiles. America began the process of demobilization from war factories to industrial factories. An increase of technologically advanced factories helped flood the automobile market with new and affordable cars. In the process of making cars a cheaper type of lightweight metal was used to manufacture cars. An increase in factories set the stage for a new and more expansive job sector. Millions of manufacturing jobs in factories were created along with a manufacturing sector that sold trillions of dollars in goods (Zinn 58). Automobiles were not only drastically changing the American economy, but also changing the American …show more content…
The idea of owning a “white picket fence” was disregarded and the new American dream was to own a home and a car. A house was purchased for around 15,000 dollars with a long term mortgage and a car was purchased with a small loan (Sinha 32). This redefined the American view of success. Among the middle and upper class, there was a migration to suburbs. The lower class remained in rural areas, but were still able to purchase and own an automobile. The new perception of buying a car reflected among consumers as a stylish point. Another motivation to purchasing an automobile was to appear wealthy in public. To own a car became the American expectation. For years before the war homes were built to reflect a family great room and kitchen, not the garage. Driveways and garages were built as a minor addition to a home and were usually accessible through backstreets or alleys. During the 1950‘s however, driveways and garages became of focal point of homes located in suburbs. This importance placed on family owned cars “made the automobile a prominent part of the dramatic ensemble.”(Spear 5). Automobiles had not only become popular, but also represented a status symbol among Americans. Model years and accessories were associated with wealth in urban neighborhoods and were compared between neighbors. A growing obsession with cars influenced homes internally too. Wallpaper in a home was often